Penelope Brown, 50, Oxfordshire
Penelope Brown, now residing in Oxfordshire at the age of 50, has quite the adventurous past. Boarding from the tender age of nine, she has lived a peripatetic life, never really settling down in one place. With her father working as a civil engineer, her early years were a whirlwind of locations, from Saudi Arabia to Papua New Guinea to Lesotho. Boarding school only added to the constant shifting sands of her life, with dormitories changing every school year and her parents often moving during term time. Penelope vividly recalls her first boarding school experience, a grand stately home with chandeliers where strict rules and lack of personal identity prevailed. The school aimed to strip students of their individuality, enforcing uniforms, limited personal belongings, and a rigid schedule of activities. Penelope’s journey from boarding school to adulthood was marked by struggles, including alcoholism and strained relationships with her parents.
Chris Braitch, 44, Dorset
Chris Braitch, a 44-year-old resident of Dorset, shares his harrowing experience of boarding school from the age of seven. Despite coming from a working-class family, Chris was sent to board by his mother, who saw it as an opportunity for safety and stability. His time at boarding school was marked by cold and lonely nights, strict rules, and harsh punishments for minor transgressions. Chris vividly remembers being physically punished by a teacher for speaking after lights out, setting the tone for his survival mentality at school. He emphasizes the long-lasting impact of the abandonment, bullying, and neglect he faced, leading to what he now recognizes as Boarding School Syndrome. Chris’s journey from boarding school to a breakdown in his adult life ultimately led him to co-found an organization supporting pupil well-being, advocating for improvements in child welfare and mental health support in schools.
Lydia Lockhart, 33, Oxfordshire
Lydia Lockhart’s boarding school experience began at the age of seven, driven by familial expectations and the perceived benefits of boarding education. Initially excited by the prospect, Lydia soon faced homesickness and emotional challenges as she navigated the strict routines and lack of personal connection at school. The limited communication with her parents and the pressure to suppress emotions took a toll on Lydia’s mental health, eventually leading to anorexia and a sense of lost identity. Despite these struggles, Lydia channeled her experiences into a career supporting children with special educational needs, advocating against boarding schools for young people who require individual attention and emotional support. Through her journey of self-discovery and healing, Lydia highlights the need for a more compassionate and understanding approach to education and child welfare.
Harry Bolland, 28, Glastonbury
Harry Bolland’s boarding school experience began at the age of 12, driven by a desire for independence and space from his parents. As a free-spirited country boy, Harry found the rigid structure and lack of individual expression at boarding school suffocating. Facing challenges with authority figures and struggling to conform to the school’s expectations, Harry was eventually expelled, leading to a stark contrast in his experience at a more compassionate state school. Despite the hardships faced at boarding school, Harry found solace in music and creativity, reclaiming his sense of self and identity. Reflecting on his journey, Harry emphasizes the impact of boarding school on his mental health and the importance of finding one’s voice and healing from past traumas.